Hi Craig,
It's good to hear you are feeling more positive. It can take a couple goes to get the dose right, so hopefully this round is easier.
I have had both 5FU (completed in January 2009) and FOLFOX (completed in January 2012) and have no lingering side effects from either - although admittedly, I am not as far out from having completed treatment as Ron. Sorry that you have been through so much, Ron.
It is sometimes hard to accept that chemo is the only way; that the only treatment they recommend to us (apart from surgery) kills both 'good' and 'bad' cells indiscriminately. But if it wasn't for chemo, I might not still be here....perhaps I would be regardless,but I just don't know. I have had two recurrences since my initial diagnosis in 2008 and during my latest one (picked up in December 2012), whilst I was eligible for surgery, my oncologists recommended against chemo. In my particular circumstances, there was no evidence that chemo would do anything for me (at this stage, at least). Even without chemo, though, my CEA (which appears particularly sensitive to the comings and goings of my cancer) is at an all time low (<0.5). Perhaps my surgeons just got it all this time?
As horrid as chemo is, I am a bit lost without it now. Chemo provided me with some reassurance. I was doing all I could, medically speaking, to knock this thing on the head. Still I know there are other things I can do to look after myself. Nourish my body with good food, keep fit and active (there is evidence that physical exercise can reduce the chances of recurrence, particularly with colorectal cancer) and avoid stress. And so far, so good! Chemo isn't easy, but despite having my cancer come back, I have never regretted my decision to have it.
Hang in there Craig.
Karen